This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
